Just wanted opinions on this question I've been having about the Atkinson Cycle engine. While I know a bit about it and it's definitely not new technology, I had never really heard of it used very often until manufacturers started putting it in their hybrids. It seemed like a perfect fit, an engine that suffers from a lack of low end power and a battery to help make up for that. Now, however, I'm seeing it put into a couple of other applications, including non-hybrid vehicles. For example, the Elantra in my sig has an Atkinson Cycle engine, as well as 2016+ Tacomas.
What I'm wondering is if there's any reason to think that these engines may not experience the same longevity as the standard, Otto cycle engine? Having never seen an Atkinson Cycle engine outside of a hybrid, I really have no idea what to expect here. I mean, there are plenty of 200k+ mile Prius engines out there which are Atkinson Cycle, but the life of a hybrid engine is a pretty easy one.
What I'm wondering is if there's any reason to think that these engines may not experience the same longevity as the standard, Otto cycle engine? Having never seen an Atkinson Cycle engine outside of a hybrid, I really have no idea what to expect here. I mean, there are plenty of 200k+ mile Prius engines out there which are Atkinson Cycle, but the life of a hybrid engine is a pretty easy one.